In Rockford area since: Our family originally moved to Rockford in 1995. Work moved us away from 2003 to 2005, after which we chose to move back to the region to finish raising our family here.

Transform Rockford involvement: Member of the Process team and several other strategy and work teams.

Inclusion: This core value states that Transform Rockford aims to “Cultivate and support an environment that fully engages our community’s differences and diversity to ensure that individuals and organizations are heard, valued and supported.” I believe inclusion is critical. But to truly create the transformation we are seeking, inclusion has to “include” people who are ready to go to work and “roll up their sleeves,” alongside many of the community members that are already volunteering. Transform Rockford will continue to gain traction, and ultimately, create transformation if we are inclusive and have community members look at this as “our initiative.” It’s encouraging to see more and more people come forward and do exactly that. That is part of what I believe our challenge is as a community — to roll up our sleeves and own this transformation together.

What’s new at Transform Rockford: After several thousand people around the region came out and gave their input on what the region’s vision should be, Transform Rockford began work on finalizing a draft of that vision for the community to review.

What’s next: Check out the Transform Rockford website, TransformRockford.org. All of the latest information, updates and happenings are posted regularly. There is also a forum to ask any questions you may have, an opportunity to sign on to support the shared values, and a way to volunteer to help the organization.